Terrafugia
Updates Flying Car Design, Shows Realistic Animation
~ carscoops.com
Terrafugia
aims to make its TF-X flying machine look as much like a conventional car as
possible, if it wants to stand the best chance of success. It's still some
years away from hitting the market, but the company is showing an animated 3D
model of it to explain how it will all work.
Basically,
it's going to be a four-wheeled road vehicle which achieves lift using a
tiltrotor type system like you’d find on a V-22 Osprey and extra forward thrust
using a ducted fan at the back.
The
promise is that TF-X will be able to carry four people, feature a hybrid
drivetrain and basically be like a car in every way plus also having airborne
capabilities; flight range is said to be 500 miles / 804 km.The
company behind it describes it as “a fixed wing street-legal aircraft with
electric ground drive and electric power assist on takeoff and landing,” which
is “able to recharge its batteries either from its engine or by plugging in to
electric car charging stations.”
Flight
in the TF-X will be completely autonomous, the driver merely selecting a
destination once in the air; it’s also going to be capable of landing itself,
although manual control will be available and even necessary in case of harsh
weather.
